I’m excited to share that one of my paintings was included in Nick Wilton’s, 1st annual Art2Life Academy online exhibition. It was a wonderful opportunity, as it was juried by Donna Seager of Seager Gray Gallery in Marin, California.

Igniting Flight 24’x24” 2018 mixed media on wood panel

This year I took Nicholas Wilton’s Art2Life 12 week intensive Creative Visionary Program, which moved me (and my work), forward in so many ways! Including…

- setting up a a productive studio environment,

- optimizing a positive, playful, exploratory mindset

- how to trouble shoot after getting stuck

- learning to utilize the power of Value, Design + Color to make stronger work

- the opportunity to engage with an artistic community from around the world

The Backpacker’s Ball is an annual fundraiser for the Glacier Conservancy. Its purpose is to raise needed funds for Glacier National Park. These funds are essential for conservation, and interpretation programs, ensuring that it can continue to preserve and share this precious place with nature lovers from around the world.

Special thanks to our local newspaper, the Whitefish Pilot, for sharing a bit of my story. Much appreciation to reporter Heidi Desch, who wove the threads of our nice conversation into the fabric of this story.

The work explores the idea that we are made up of layers of experience that drive our beliefs and actions.

Similar to the strata of the Earth, I believe we are made up of layers. Although they exist below the surface they influence how we view the world, ourselves and each other. This work explores the idea that our emotional, physical, and psychological experiences shape us and that they unite us in being human.

— Heidi Marie Faessel

I loved having the opportunity to share my work in a healing environment, such as the hospital. It seems that each of us could benefit from some healing. Just being human, we suffer - navigating life with a myriad of feelings, emotions, and perceptions.

Our local paper, the Whitefish Pilot, ran an article about the exhibit.